He will then need time to regain fitness and strength before the Brumbies can select him.

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The Brumbies will have to wait until McCabe arrives in Canberra and meets with club medical staff before knowing how long the 24-year-old will be missing for.

''We've got experience now and we know we've got guys who can slot into that position,'' Brumbies backs coach Stephen Larkham said.

''But losing a guy like Patty is massive for a team. He's great with leadership on and off the field and just the way he plays is outstanding.

''He's certainly going to be missed, but it will give someone else a chance to step up and have a crack at inside-centre.''

McCabe didn't play in the Wallabies' 20-14 win over England at Twickenham on Sunday morning.

He injured his neck in the opening match of the tour against France and had scans in London.

McCabe was one of the most consistent players in the Brumbies' back line last season and cemented his place in Robbie Deans's side.

McCabe also missed the start of last Super Rugby season after having a shoulder reconstruction following the World Cup.

While he is versatile, Larkham had planned to use McCabe as an inside- or outside-centre next year.

His absence could open the door for two of Canberra's club rugby players to take an opportunity to step into Super Rugby.

Larkham has been impressed with Gungahlin's Matt Hawke and Queanbeyan's Sam Windsor, who have been training with the top Brumbies squad.

And he hinted the duo could be promoted if there was room in the squad with McCabe out of action for an unknown period.

''Someone's going to get an opportunity for the first period of Super Rugby,'' Larkham said.

''We've got Matt Toomua, Christian Lealiifano and Zack Holmes who can be in a rotation at flyhalf and inside-centre.

''Robbie [Coleman] has put his hand up more as a fullback, but we could move him back to inside-centre if needed.

''Then there's Matt Hawke who has been training exceptionally well with Sam Windsor and I don't know the circumstances, but they've been showing they've got potential to step in.''

The Brumbies pre-season training will be boosted this week with the return of Joseph Tomane, Lealiifano, Andrew Smith and Henry Speight.

In the first three weeks of training, a large part of the squad has been on limited duties after having off-season surgery.

McCabe's injury is a serious blow for the Brumbies, but hooker Stephen Moore and Ben Alexander showed no signs of their niggling injuries in the Wallabies win over England.

Moore came off the bench while Alexander helped strengthen the Australian scrum as the tight-head prop.

Brumbies recruit David Pocock is also on track to make his return from injury against Italy in Florence on Sunday.

Melbourne Rebels centre Mitch Inman will replace McCabe in the Wallabies squad, while Cadeyrn Neville will cover for Kane Douglas.

5 comments

Sad for McCabe and Brumbies, but great for Australian rugby. Deans' pet boy has been a blockage for Wallaby attack since the day he was gifted the no.12 jersey.

Commenter

Morgan

Location

Hong Kong

Date and time

November 19, 2012, 10:05AM

Very nice Morgan, such a lovely thing to say.

Commenter

Danno

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

November 19, 2012, 10:29AM

Sad for McCabe full stop! Best wishes for a speedy and full recovery. If we get you back playing at Brumbies and Wallabies then fantastic but most importantly hoping for best outcome for you!

Commenter

Crockycrocky

Date and time

November 19, 2012, 10:30AM

Deans' backline tactics have been the blockage for Wallaby attack, not McCabe.McCabe hasn't been the one repeatedly kicking the ball back to the opposition back three, Barnes and Beale were.That both players were still doing exactly that in the final 20 minutes of the England match, despite McCabe's absence, shows that McCabe was not the cause of their refusal to attack with ball in hand.

Commenter

Markus

Location

Canberra

Date and time

November 19, 2012, 11:31AM

There is nothing better than a well timed perfectally executed kick but kicking away so you make the opposition play in their half just doesn't work for us!McCabe I believe would make a great outside centre. He runds hard and straight. Toomua 10 Lealiifano 12 is a much better combination.